SCHOOL OF CIVIL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CLUSTER

NAME:
PRIETO,JOSHUA MIKHAEL T.
STUDENT NO. COURSE & YEAR SUBJECT & SECTION
2016131747 CE/2 CE141P-2/E02
MODULE ASSESSMENT SIGNATURE
MODULE 1 CW # 1

Using the provided Assessment Sheet, answer the following questions in not less than 200 words.
1. A large number of definitions of hydrology have been given by different organizations and
books. Find at least three of these definitions and identify their differences. What key points
emerge from these definitions of hydrology?
From the first source, hydrology is defined as the study of water in all its forms (rain, snow, and
water on the earth’s surface), and from its origins to all its destinations on the earth. From the
second source, hydrology is defined as the study of water on and beneath the earth’s surface,
with regards to its occurrence, distribution, movement, and properties as well as its relationship
with the environment within each phase of the water cycle. And from the third source, hydrology
is defined as the branch of science concerned with the properties of the earth's water, and
especially its movement in relation to land. From definition stated above, we distinguish the key
points between three definitions from different organizations and sources. From my
understanding, hydrology is the study of water and its movement in the water cycle. It is a branch
of science dealing with water behavior, occurrence, and movement above and beneath the
earth’s surface.
2. Study the Egyptian civilization in the Nile Valley from the perspective of water management.
What can we learn from this?
The Nile river which famed by the title as the world’s longest river which extends up to 6650
kilometers. The river was life in ancient Egypt as it serves as an essential source of water, and silt.
Ancient Egypt who is bounded by huge water source, regulated their activity based on its waters.
Since the beginning, ancient Egyptian began to build civilization on Nile valleys with lands rich in
silt which they can use to grow crops and wheat. And then they began tracking water levels using
columns placed in rivers to monitor the activity with their crops. With the problem of flood and
drought, they began to grow crops between the cycle of the water levels. The akhet (flood
season), ancient Egyptian focuses on their activity much more on fishing as growing crops have
been restricted while flood covers the agricultural areas. In peret (grow season), with lower water
levels, they then now start to plants seed to be harvested in shemu. For shemu (harvest season),
with lowest water levels than the other seasons, they start to harvest and preparing for the flood
season again. As time goes on, ancient Egyptians began to build irrigation systems that extends
the water from the Nile River giving them various opportunities for development.
3. Study the Chinese civilization that grew on the banks of the Huang-Ho River and the Tigris
and Euphrates civilizations in Mesopotamia from the water management point of view. What
lessons can be learned from looking at these peoples?
The early Chinese civilization have been built thousands of years ago. The geography of China is
considered as the third’s largest country. With its location west of the east China sea, there have
a lot of opportunity to build and develop civilization. The water from the sea is extended through
the parts of China’s main rivers with one of them named as the Huang Ho river. These two long
rivers have been the main water source of people living far from the sea. From the Yang Shao
era, people began to build small canals extending their water supply from these long rivers. When
other villages have built, long irrigation systems have been built to supply the demand due to
their growing population.
The early Euphrates civilization have been around thanks to its geography which is run by two
rivers namely Tigris river and Euphrates river. The Mesopotamia or in between rivers in Greek
language are also called the Fertile Crescent due to its silt rich soil which further expands their
development. With its location near deserts and mountains, its life where very much dependent
within the two rivers. They built great canals and irrigation systems that controls flooding kept
soil rich for farming.
4. Study the Indian civilization that developed along the banks of the Ganges River and the
Indus River from the water management point of view. What lessons can be learned from this?
One of the first ancient civilization developed are around the Indus River Valley around 8000 BCE.
The early Indian civilization is known for its hydraulic engineering. This civilization had areas that
were built with complex water and wastewater management for their supply and sewage system.
Talking about the water source, they built what they call corbelled drains as the main source of
water supply, collecting rainwater and river water. It is also used to drain large ritual baths. There
also a lot of public as it is built on various parts of cities. For the waste management, they built
large sewer systems that travels waste into a river or sea. They also have a sanitary sewer system
which led different sewer branches in the main sewer allowing them to filter the water before
putting it back in the river. They managed to use the flow of the sea into the rivers into their
advantage. The system does not mix waste waters and freshwaters as waste pipes are led to
forest rivers while some pipes brought freshwater. Public toilets with both pit and flush toilets
are also built around the city. The early Indian civilization brought fort their pride and knowledge
through their water management. With the limited resources and technology, the managed to
create a complex pipe system to work on their water management.
5. List the main reasons why ancient civilizations mostly grew near rivers.
Almost all human civilization throughout history have been formed near rivers, specifically near
bodies of water. This is because with sufficient water supply, growing of livestock and crops
became doable. From what I have learned from the early civilizations I have discussed, I learned
that water management have been the most critical to run a village or a city. Many civilizations
started to build irrigations and canals to extend the water supply from bodies of water. With a
reliable source of water open big opportunity for a city to develop. Just like what happened to
early Egyptian civilization, with successful water management began opening the trading routes
for them to prosper. What I have learned from the early Indian civilizations are the location
helped them build complex sewer systems making their water supply not mixed with waste. Of
course, living near rivers or any bodies of water are susceptible to flood, some civilizations built
dams to control the water level enabling them to plant. Moreover, extending water supply also
means extend its agricultural aspect as well of the livestock raised in the setting. So, with reasons,
we can say that there are a lot of advantages and opportunities for a civilization to prosper if they
are built near rivers.